A MARRIED father who sexually assaulted a young woman after luring her into his place of work was jailed for 24 weeks at Guildford Crown Court on Friday (November 4).

Martin Budd, a manager at a Slyfield delivery firm for 11 years, was found guilty of a sexual assault, during which he got his victim naked and drew on her breasts.

The 43-year-old was considered unsuitable for any kind of community sentence as he continues to deny the offence, despite being convicted.

Budd, of The Chantrys in Farnham, invited the woman to his place of work last December during a night of heavy snow when his office was empty because workers there had been sent home.

Judge Christopher Critchlow called Budd’s victim "vulnerable" and, addressing him, said: “You hugely embarrassed her and took advantage of her and used felt tip pens to draw circles around her nipples.

“She had to give evidence and it has affected her. You continue to deny this offence, which has possibly caused her further difficulties.”

During the trial, which ended in his conviction on October 13, another woman gave evidence complaining about Budd’s behaviour.

George Zachary, defending, argued that a suspended sentence, including a curfew order and unpaid work requirement, would be appropriate.

However, Judge Critchlow said the defendant’s denial left few options open to the court, as maintaining his innocence meant he was not suitable for a sex offenders’ programme.

Budd has unrelated convictions dating from 1984 and 1986 – one for a violent offence.

He will lose his job at the Guildford office of City Link following the conviction.

Mr Zachary said: “He is going to lose his employment, again not of little significance as he worked there for 11 years.

“That again is something which Mr Budd has brought upon himself, but it is a punishment he is going to have to live with.”

Judge Critchlow said: “You are 43, and although you have previous convictions, not any in the last 20 years.

“You are a married man with children and have been convicted by jury of sex assault of at your place of employment while you were manager.”

Judge Critchlow said he had carefully considered the pre-sentence report prepared by the Probation Service, but that the case crossed the custody threshold.

He told Budd he would probably serve half the sentence and the 29 days he had already spent in custody would be taken into account. Budd has also been put on the sex offenders’ register for five years.